Children in Need: I’m joining Team Graham for the Power to the Tower rickshaw race with Pudsey

Sally Naden, Alfie Boe and Graham Liver launching the Power to the Tower race for Children in Need

You can’t say no to Children in Need!

I’m super-pleased but also slightly worried that BBC’s Graham Liver has asked me to join his rickshaw team for a stint as part of his Power to the Tower challenge for 2018 Children in Need, ahead of the TV show on November 16.

Launched on the BBC Radio Lancashire Breakfast Show by Lancashire’s Alfie Boe, the ‘Power to the Tower’ challenge will see presenters Graham and Sally Naden race across Lancashire to try and be the first to reach Blackpool Tower.

The journey will set off from BBC Radio Lancashire in Blackburn on Monday November 12, where, between them, the pair will visit almost every city, town and village in Lancashire, stopping along the way at primary schools, community centres and BBC Children in Need funded projects.

I’ll be hopping on the rickshaw on Thursday November 15 for a three-hour stint from Halton near Lancaster – wish me luck.

The race will finish at Blackpool Tower on November 16, with the winner lighting up the tower yellow for Pudsey.

Here’s what they said on the press release from Children in Need – fighting talk from Sally I see!

Graham, who is BBC Radio Lancashire Breakfast host, said: “I keep saying that one year I’ll have a rest, but having visited many of the 54 projects funded by BBC Children in Need in Lancashire, I can’t wait to get started.

“This challenge promises to be the toughest yet with Team Graham having to pedal over 100 miles across Lancashire.

Sally Naden, who presents BBC Lancashire’s morning show, said:“Graham thinks because he’s a regular when it comes to these kind of challenges, he’ll easily beat me.

“He couldn’t be more wrong. Little does he know, I’ve already got a team of athletes, fitness experts and world record holders signed up.

“My message to Graham would be: ‘Be afraid, Liver’.

“While the challenge itself will be a gruelling feat, what keeps me going is the fact that it’s all for such a good cause and being able to see exactly where the money goes here in Lancashire.”

Fleetwood lad Alfie Boe said:“Over the years, BBC Radio Lancashire listeners have raised thousands and thousands of pounds for the charity. Through their kindness they have made a real difference to the lives of children and young people.”

Across Lancashire, BBC Children in Need currently funds 54 projects to the value of £4million.

One of those projects is Child Action Northwest which uses funding of more than £140,000, over three years, to deliver the ‘Get Sorted, But Supported’ programme of activities and support to young people who are leaving care. The project will provide a step-up service which will help to bridge the gap between leaving care and going on to live independently. Delivering support to the young people, project workers will help to improve their mental wellbeing, encourage them to develop new skills and help prepare them for employment, training or further education.

BBC Children in Need will be back for its 39th Appeal Show on Friday 16th November on BBC One from 7pm.

BBC Children in Need’s vision is that every child in the UK has a safe, happy and secure childhood and the chance to reach their potential. The charity will realise this vision by supporting, promoting and publicising work that addresses the challenges that children and young people face and work that builds their skills and resilience.

BBC Children in Need is currently supporting over 2,700 projects in communities across the UK that are helping children and young people facing a range of disadvantages such as living in poverty, being disabled or ill, or experiencing distress, neglect or trauma.